Controlling mechanism.



A. 13. RUTH-VEN.

' CONTROLLING MECHANISM.

, APPLICATION FILED APR.22,1912.

Patented Apr. 3,3913.

2 BHEET8-BEEET 1.

M MW A. L. RUTHVEN.

CONTROLLING MECHANISM. APjLmATIoN FILED APE-12,1912.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

2 BHBBTHEBET 2.

liizefwem' ALFRED L. RUTHVEN,

or TOPEKA, Kansas.

CONTROLLING- MEOHANISIVL meadow V Application filed April 22,

To all 207mm 2'2 may concern.

Be it known that I, amen L. RUTHvEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Topeka, in the county of Shawnee and State of Kansas, haveinvented certain new and 'useful Improvements in ControllingMechaautomatically controlling the propelling means of the vehicle andthe braking means therefor, and in connecting the power supplying meansand the braking means in novel manner whereby action in both will takeplace in emergency for interrupting power application and for applyingthe braking mechanism.-

lrly invention consists further in novel device; further in novel meansfor actuating the compressed fluid valves, and the inmeans for actuatingthe power interrupting vention will be further readily understood fromthe following description and claims,

and from the drawings, in which latter:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of my improved controllingmechanism.

. Fig. 2 is an irregular section taken on the .fiuid valves.

line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the throttleoperating mechanism. Fig. 3 is aview, partly in section on the line 33 of Fig. 1, and partly in sideelevation, showing the mechanism for controlling the con'ipressed Fig.a-is a sectional detail of the inotor-controlled valve taken on theline" -l-et of Fig. 1, showing the motor connections therewith in sideelevation. F isr a sectional view of the valve mechanism ttn controllingthe compressed fluid, taken on the line 55 of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an axialsection oi the automatic triple-valve ot' the vehicle, also showing theair-bral-:e cylinder -partly in section and partly broken away.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8, 1%13. 1912. Serial No. 692,489. i

circuits when a ployed.

My invention is applicable to steam propelled vehicles and to vehiclesin which other propelling poweris employed, and the actuating means forthe throttle mechanism'may be employed for actuating other interruptingmeans,v dependent on the character of propelling. power employed. 11indicate the body of the locomotive and 12 the body of the car.

I have shown my invention applied in connection with a usual automaticair-brake system for braking the vehicle or vehicles, This air-brakesystem comprises an airpump 15 embracing a steam-cylinder 16 and apump-cylinder 17, in which suitable connected pump and steam pistonsreciprocute in usual manner, supplied by power from a steam-pipe 18having connection with the locomotive boiler 19. The pump discharges thecompressed air or fluid into a main pressure tank 20, having connectionwith the pump by a pipe 21, and from which a feed-pipe22 leads to ausualengineers or closed track circuit is our drivers brake-valve 23, fromwhich latter a brake-pipe. 24 leads to the various vehicles of thetrain, this latterpipe being also in practice designated the train-pipe.Usual valves are provided in these parts.

The drivers brake valve 23 may be of any ordinary or usual construction?The valve 23 is operated manually by the driver of the vehicle foraffording passage fron'i the feedpipe 22 to the brake-pipe 24;, duringwhich relation of the parts the outlet-port closed, or for closing oilthe feed-pipe and eliecting' communication bet-ween the brake-pipe andthe outlet 25, for relieving pressure in the brake-pipe and therebysett-ingthe brakes in well-known manner. r 28 is a usual flexiblesection of the brakepipe between the rigid sections thereof on a djaceht vehicles;

On eaclrof the vehicles in rear of-the lo-- comotive a branch 27 of thebrake-pipe {leads to a usual automatic triple-valve 28, from which anauxiliary pipe 29 leads'to an, aux- 7 iliaryreservoir 30. The automatictriplevalve is of usual construction and is shown in its simplest formin the drawings, and operates in usual and well-known manner. It has aport 31 connecting with the brake pipe, a port 32 connecting! with theauxiliary reservoir, and a po. 33 connecting 1 n 1 I The brace-cylinderand its connections are of any usual and well-l nown constructions, andoperate in usual and well-known manner.

41 is a branch-pipe extending from the brake-pipe for connecting withmechanism for operating valves in the brake-pipe 24: and relief-pipehereinafter mentioned. It has a valve 42 therein which is under controlof a suitable tract: or block system such, for instance, as shown anddescribed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 989,194, granted mefor signal systems for railways, April 11., 192th The system shown anddescribed in said patent is what is known an open circuit system, but myimprinted device is applicable in either a closed or open circuitsystem. Either system may include a suitable switch operating device,shown as a magnet '43, controlling an automatic switch 44 located in amotor circuit which embraces a motor .45, a suitable generator in,conductors l7, l8 and 49, and a terminal 50 with which the armature ofthe switch bi enacts, a spring 52 retracting said armoturc. The motorcircuit is normally open, nnd in the arran elnent shown in Fig. 1, themagnet lii won d be located in an open block circuit which when closedenergizes the magnet for attracting the armature. A terminal 53 may alsobe provided, having a conductor 54: leading therefrom. A switch 55 isarranged to interrupt the conductor -49 and place the terminal 53 inelectric connection with the generator. If the magnet 43 be located ina, closed track circuit, for

ermitting actuation of the switch 44 upon ranking of said circuit, thearmature of the automatic switch 4A is normally attracted by the magnet43, (see Fig. 8,) the interruption of said closed track circuit causingthe armature to be released from the magnet and brought into contactwith the terminal 53 by the spring 52, for closing the motor circuit andoperating the motor.

The armature-shaft of the mote has a pinion 56 thereon arranged to meshwith a segment-gear 57 on the stem 58 of the valve 42 for opening saidvalve, for the purpose hereinafter described, this valve being normallyclosed. The pinion will turn the segment for opening the valve and, inthe form shown, will then rotate freely until it strikes a stop 57', thesegment being arranged to be turned so that its lirst teeth will againmesh with the pinion by means of the hand-wheel :39, the valve renminingopen preferably until stud meshing takes place.

A branch-pipe 61, which forms a. reliefpipe, leads from the brake-pipe,physical connection thereof being shown with branch-pipe ll. It connectswith a cylinder 62 in which there is a piston 63 connecting with a powerinterrupting means, indicated as a throttle 64.

There is a valve 65 in the feed-pipe 24 and a valve (56 in therelief-pipe 61 the stems of these valves being connected for combinedmovement and the ports thereof being so arranged that when one of saidvalves .is open the other is closed, and vice versa. When the valve 65is closed and the valve (36 open, the pressure in the brakepipe will berelieved and the automatic triple-valvcs on the vehicles actuated forsetting the brakes, the action of these automatic valves beingwell-known and not necessary to be here further described.

The piston-cylinder 62 has articulated connection with the branch-pipeso as to permit a swinging movement of the cylinder but arranged in suchmanner that the port 67 between said cylinder and. said pipe is open atall times. Thus (38 is a bearingpiece stationarily secured, as to thelocomotive boiler, in which trunnions G9, 69 on the hinge-lug 70 of thecylinder 62 are journaled, the trunnion 69 being formed by a section ofthe pipe 61 having rotative connection 61 with said pipe. Passages 71communicate with the port and extend lengthwise of the, cylinder andhave entrance ports 72 into the interior of the cylinder for pushing thepiston inwardly and thereby actuating the stem 73 thereof inwardly. ihepiston is moved inwardly by the-pressure in the pipes to a point toexpose a relicf-portll in the cylinder at the intakeside of the pistonand afford escape of the compressed thud through the cylinder and therelief-port, for ali'ording relief in the -brake-pipe and therebyo.automatically setting the brakes. The cylinder may be provided with anexhaust-port (50 for permitting exhausting of the air in the rear end ofthe cylinder and free move ment of the piston therein.

75 is a throttle-lever pivoted at 76 to a suitable stationary part, asto the boiler, and having articulation at 77 with a throttle stem 7 8.

79 is a locking pawl arranged to c'oect with the teeth of a locking rack86. The pawl is pivoted at 81 to the throttle-lever.

82 is a manually operated bellcran k level connected by means of a link83 with the pawl.

86 is a block adjustubly clamped to the li'nlt 83, as by means of bolts87, for adjust ably positioning the blbck lengthwise of the link, theblock being preferably divided into two parts each of which lies a pin88 thereon.

91, 91, are links pivoted at 92 to the throttle-lever, each of which isprovidedwith a slot 93 in which one of the pins '88 is received. Theouter ends of the links have a pin 94 passing therethrough, formingarticulation between 'said links and the throttle-stem 78. .A spring95'between a .bracket 96 on the throttle-leverand a col-, lar 97adjustably-set lengthwise of the link 83 by means of aset-screw 98normallyurges the lockingrpawl toward the locking rack. The constructionis simple and soarran ed as to be easily applied to any throttle ever.The throttle-stem and the links 91 are ont-of parallelism when the awl79 is locking engagement. When t e fluid pressure is admitted into thecylinder 62 it moves the stem 70 and the links 91 into positions morenearl f parallel with eachother,

whereby movin t e link-831cm hwise and compressing t e spring 95 anunlocking the pawl 79 and, as soon as. the pawl: is

unlocked, moving the throttle-lever for closing the throttle and therebyshutting off the steam from the locomotive boiler to'the drivingcylinders of the locomotive and intprrupting the motive power of the vec.e. The relief-pipe 61 me have a halve 99 therein for regulating t emaximum cur- -rent passing throu' h said branch-pipe, this valve beingof sue constmiction as to permit its regulation by means of a key .in'the hands of an authorized person other than the driver of the vehicle,but constructed to prevent entire .closingof the valve,- for instance byhaving a 'bvpass passage 100 through said valve.

The valves 65,66, are operated through the instrumentality of the valve42, which,

with the motor mechanism, forms interrupting actuating means for saidfirst-named valves. The branch 511 connects with a cylinder102 which hasa ist'on 103 therein constructed similarly to t e cylinder 62 and piston63, except that the relief-port-74 is omitted. The cylinder 102 has aport 107 with which passages 108 communicate, the

port being in continuous communication with the branchpipe 41,-? byconnections similar to the connections between the. port 67 and therelief-pipe 61, the cylinder 102 being pivotally supported similar thecylinder 62. The passages 108 have entrance-v ports 109 at one side ofthe piston, and thecylinder has an exhaust opening110 at the otherside-of said piston.

111 is a piston-stem which. has articulation 112 with a lever 113 on thestem 11% of the valves 65, 66. 115 is a lock shown rigid on thecylinder' 102, the keeper 116 of which is arranged to be received in arecess 117 of the piston stem 111 for locking the piston-stem in theoperated positions of the Valves 65, 66, in which positions the valve isclosed and means the automatic the'valveVSG is open for actuating thepiston 63 to expose t e relief-port 7 1 and thereby relieve the pressurein the brake-pipe and set the brakes, the lock 115 maintaining thevalves 65, 66, in such positions until thevalves are releasedbyunlocking the lock 7 115by an authorized person other than thedriverof the vehicle having the key for said lock, whereupon the lever113, shown as a hand-operated lever, may be'manipulatech The magnet 4:3and parts actuated thereby may be withima closed casing 121, shownbroken away in Figs. 1 and 8, having a door 122 arranged to be locked bya lock 123 arranged to be opened only by an authorized person other thanthedrivcr of the vehicle havhig the key thereof. By these evices on thetraveh ing vehicle are out of control of the driverthereofl'so that thesame may not he changed or tampered with by him or by any person not inpossession of the keys opening the locks by which the various devicesare cl0sed.

"As soon-as the armature of switch 44 is operated, the motor d5 isenergized for open- As scenes the valve 42 I ing the valve 42. is open,the piston 103, will be actuated for closing thevalve and opening thevalve 66,"whereb'y the'fiuid pressure in the brake pipe is at oncecommunicated to, the cylinder 62 for operating the piston-.63 andthereby operating the throttlelever and closing the throttle andshutting ofii the neotive power of the vehicle -As soon as'the piston 63has been moved to a position to expose the relief-port 74, the fluidpressure in the brake-pipe is relieved for setting the brakes,these'operations being performed in quick succession in the sequencenamed and" ahnost' simultaneously. When the parts have thus been set,the braking mechanism .is for the reason stated out of control of thedriver of the vehicle. The object of placing these parts beyondthe-,c'ontrol of the driver-of the vehicle is to prevent unauacterdescribed, comprising a means for interrupting the propelling means oiatraveling vehicle. aid means comprising a swingable fluid-actuatedmeans; an automatic air-brake system comprising a main pressurereservoir, anauxiliury pressure reservoir, a brake-cylinder, anautomatic triplevalve between said brake'cylinder and said auxiliarypressure reservoir, a compressed fluid pipe between said main pressurereser, voir and said automatic triple-valve, and a drivers controllingvalve therein; and a relief-pipe having connection with said compressedfluid-pipe between said drivers controlling valve and said automatictriplefluicl-pipe between said ,main pressure reservoir and saidautomatic triple-valve, and a driver's controlling valve therein; arelief-pipe having connection with said compressed fluid-pipe betweensaid drivers controlling valve and said automatic triplevalve and withsaid fluidectuatcd means, a valve in said relief-pipe, a controlledcircuit, and actuating means for said lastnamed valve controlled by saidcontrolled circuit.

' 3. A controlling mechanism of the character described, com rising ameans for interrupting the propelling means of a traveling vehicle; anautomatic air-brake system comprising a main pressure reservoir, anauxiliary pressure reservoir, a brake-cylinder, an automatictriple-valve between said brakecylinder and said auxiliary pressureresenvoir, a compressed fluid'pipe between said main pressure reservoir andsaid automatic triple-valve, and a drivers controlling valve therein; arelief-pipe having connection with said compressed fiuid-pipc and withsaid first-named means, a valve in said reliefpipe, an additional valve,a controlled circuit, actuating means for said additional valvecontrolled by said controlled circuit, and operating means for the saidvalve in said relief-pipe actuated by compressed fluid passing throughsaid additional valve.

ii. A controlling mechanism of the charac ter described, comprising ameans embracing a cylinder and piston for interrupting the propellingmeans of a traveling vehicle; an autol'natic ainblnkc system comprisinga main pressure reservoir, an auxiliary pressure reservoir, abrake-cylinder, an. automatic triplewalve between said brake-cylinderand said auxiliary pressure reservoir, a compressed fluid-pipe betweensaid main pressure reservoir and said automatic triple valve, and adrivers controlling valve there In; a relief-pipehaving connection with'said compressed fluid-pipe and with said first-named means, a valve insaid compressed fluidpipe, a valve in said. reliet' pipe, saidlast-named valves connected for combined movements, compressed fluidactuating means for said last-named valves, an

additional valve controlling said compressed fluid actuating means, anda controlled on:- cuit embracing a motor having connection with saidadditional valve.

5. A controlling mechanism of the duo acter described, comprising a meaembracing a cylinder and piston for interru ting the propelling means ofa traveling ve ltlifi; an automatic air-brake system comprising a mainpressure reservoir, an auxiliary pressure reservoir, a brake-cylinder,an automatic triple-valve between said hrakc-cyl1n der and saidauxiliary ressure reservoir, a compressed fluid-pipe etween said mainpressure reservoir and said auton'iatic triple valve, and a driverscontrolling valve therein; a relief-pipe having connection with saidcompressed fluid-pipe, a valve in said compressed fluid-pipe, a valve insaid relief-pipe, said last-named valves connected for combinedmovement, compressed fluid actuating means for said last-named valves,an additional valve controlling said com pressed fluid actuating means,a controlling circuit embracing a motor having connection with saidadditional valve and locking means for said compressed fluid actuatingmeans.

' 6. A controlling mechanism of the character described, comprising ameans embrac: ing a cylinder and piston for interrupting the propellingmeans of a traveling vehicle, an automatic air-brake system comprising amain pressure reservoir, an auxiliary prose sure reservoir, :1brake-cylinder, an. automatic triple-valve between said brake-cylinderand said auxiliary pressure reservoir, a com pressed fluid-pipe betweensaid main sure reservoir and said automatic trlple' valve, and adriver's controlling valve therein; a relief-pipe having connection withsaid compressed fluid-pipe, a' valve in said compressed fluid-pipe, avalve in said reliefpipe, said last-named valves connected for combinedmovements, compressed fluid actuating means for said last-named valves,

an additional valve controlling said compressed fluid actuating means, acontrolled circuit embracing a motor having connection with saidadditional valve, said controlled circuit comprising an automaticswitch, a magnet for a track circuit for said automatic switch, lockingmeans for said switch and magnet, and locking means for said compressedfluid valve actuating means.

7. A controlling mechanism of the character described, comprising ameans embracing a swingable cylinder and piston for interrupting thepropelling means of a means, said first-named cult, and actuatintraveling vehicle; an automatic air-brake system comprising 3 11192111pressure reservoir, an aRX}l12l1y pressure reservoir, 21

brake-cylinder, an automatic trip1e-valve be tween said brake-cylinderand said auxiliary pressure reservoir, a compressed fluid-pipe betweensaid main pressure reservoir and said automatic t-ri le-valve, and adrivers controlling valve t erein; a relief-pipe having connection withsaid compressed fluidpipe between said drivers controlling valve andsaid automatic triple-valve and With said swingable cylinder of saidfirst-named means embracing a relief-port automatically exposed tooperative connection with said relief-pipe for relieving the pressure insaid relief-pipe, for the purpose described.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of acompressed fluid supply-pipe, pipe, a valve in each of said pipesconnected for combined movements. a controlled cirmeans for'said valvescontrolled by sai circuit, said actuating means having a mutilateddriving connection therein disconnected by the actuation thereof. i

9. In a mechanism of the character'described, the combination of acompressed fluid supply-pipe, a compressed fluid reliefs pipe, a valvein each of said pipes connected for combined movements, a controlledcircuit, interrupting actuating means for said valvescontrolled by saidcircuit, and loclc ing means for locking said actuating means inactuated position.

10. in a mechanism of the character described, the-combination of acompressed fluid supply-pip e, a compressed fluid reliefpipe, a valve ineach of said pipes connected for combined movements, :1 controlledcircuit, interrupting actuating means for said valves controlled by saidcircuit, said actuating means comprising a cylinder and-a pis-- ton, acompressed fluid.-conncction, a normally closed valve in said compressedfluid connection having connection with said cylinder and piston, andoperating means for said lastna1ned valve controlled by said controlledcircuit.

11. In a mechanism of the character-do a compressed fluid reliefscribed. the combination with a compressed fluid supply-pipe, acompressed fluid reliefpipe, a valve, in each said pipes connected forcombinedmovements. a cylinder and piston for operatingsaid valves, acompressed fluid connection having connection with said cylinderandpiston, a normallv closed valve in the latter, a controlled circuit,and operating means for said normally closed valve controlled by saidcontrolled circuit, and locking means for the movable member of saidcylinder and piston.

12. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination ofa meanscomprising a cylinder and piston for interruptng-the propelling meansor" a traveling vehicle, said cylinder being pivoted and having apivot-port, an automatic fluid pres sure brake mechanism comprisingfluid pressure connections for normally maintaining a brake in unbrakingposition, a relief-pipe therefor having connection with said pivotport,-and a, compressed fluid passage through said pivot-port opening atoneside of said piston, and a relief-port at the other side of said pistonarranged by movement between said cylinder and piston to be located atsaid first-named side of said piston foracting as a relief openingthrough said pivot-port for said relief-pipe.

13. in mechanism of the character described, the combination a valve,actuating means for said valve comprising a swingablc cylinder and apiston, a compressed fluid connection having connection with saidcylinder and piston, a normally closed valve insaid last-namedconnection, a controlled circuit, and operating means for saidlast-named valve controlled bysaid controlled circuit.

14. In a mechanism of the character described. the combination oi. arelief-pipen panof valves therein, a cylinderyand piston havingoperative articulated-coiincction with said relief-pipe and operativeconnection with one of said valves for operating the same, the other ofsaid valves beinglocated between said last-named valve and said cylinderand piston, a controlled'circult, and a motor controlled by said cir nittor operating said lastnained valve.

15. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination of apower controlling lever, a fluid pressure relief-pipe, a cylinder andpiston having connectionwith Sll(l relief-pipe, a stem for piston, alink articulated with said stem and said lever, a

lock for said lever embracing a longitudiclamp-bloclr adpistably nallymovable rod, 21 secured lengthwise on said rod and having articulationwith said link, said link and stem normally out of parallelism, said cyliuder having a p vot-par t connecting with said relief-pipe, and saidcylinder provided ivilh a relietport exposed by said piston uponactuation ct said pistol. and arrangedand operating substantiallydescribed.

.16. In a'uiec'hanlsm of the character described. the combination of abrake-pipefa relief-pipe. a valve in thelattcr, a controlling valve forthe latter, a controlled circuit embracing a motor, actuating'meansbetween said motorand controlling valve,

means for causing disconnection in said ac:

tuating means for limiting the said controlling valve, said controllinga piston in said movement of a cylinder with which valvehas connection,and

cylinder having operative sa e through said pivot-port opening at onement between saidcylinder an piston to be located at said first-namedside of said piston for acting as a relief-opening through saidpivot-port for said fluid-pipe. t

27. In apparatus of the character deu a a scribed, the combination of apower-contr'olling lever, a cylinder and piston embracing a pivotedmember and a longitudinally movable member, a latch' for said leverembracing a longitudinally movable rod, a link operatively connectedwith said longitudinally movable member, said lever and said latch, saidpivoted member having a pivot-port, and a fluid-pipe connectingtherewith.

28. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of apower-6on trolling lever, a fluid-pipe, a cylinder, a

piston therefor, a link articulated with said piston and said lever, alatch for said lever,

and a connecting part adjustably secured thereto and having articulationwith said link, and said cylinder having a pivot-port connecting withsaid fluid-pipe.

29. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a leverfor means for interrupting the propelling means of a traveling vehicle,a bodily swinging cylinder and piston therefor forming a pair ofswingable members having a pivot-port, and connecting means between saidlever and one of said pair of members.

30. In apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination of a leverfor means for interruptin the propelling means of a traveling vehic e abodil swinging cylinder and piston therefor o'rming a pair of swingablemembers having a pivot-port, connecting means between said lever and oneof said pair of members, latch means for normally holdin said leveragainst movement, and a justable connectin means between said pairofmembers an said latch means.

31. In apparatus of the character described, the combination of a leverfor means for interrupting the propelling means of a traveling vehicle,a bodily swinging cylinder havlng a pivot-port, a piston operatmg

